I have been contemplated and putting off attempting my first sprint triathlon for over 3 years. Then I got pregnant so that provided a few years to hide behind excuses. I had many doubts and fears that I could actually do it. The transitions terrified me, and the whole concept of it really pushed me out of my comfort zone. This year all the procrastination and excuses ended.
Read on for my experience participating in the North Shore Sprint Triathlon.
Besides teaching indoor- cycling class, my biking consists of rolling through Steveston on my cruiser bike. Swimming – well, my swimming as of lately consist of a lot of splashing, sliding and wave pool bobbing.
So why, was the finish line of my first sprint triathlon such a glorious place to reach?? Was it because I had swam 444M, biked 17.6KM and ran 5km?? Or was it because I had overcame my doubts and fears and forged ahead to complete what at times seemed like an impossibility? I think you know the answer. And, the best part: You can do it too.
The Sprint Distance Triathlon
The sprint distance triathlon is unique among the four major triathlon distances (Sprint, 
Olympic, Half-Ironman and Ironman) in that it is the only triathlon where the distances may vary a bit from race to race. Most sprint triathlons have a swim distance between 400M and 750M. The bike leg will typically be a 20K ride, and the run is usually a 5K.
Another aspect that makes sprint distance triathlons unique is that they are often reverse triathlons – that is, in a typical triathlon the order of events is swim-bike-run, but in many sprint distance triathlons the order will be reversed to run-bike-swim. This is important to know ahead of time, particularly if you are a weak swimmer (which most beginner triathletes are, since most come to the sport of triathlon from running), so that you can adjust your training appropriately.
I chose the North Shore Triathlon for a few simple reasons.
- It worked with my schedule
- Relatively local
- In a pool ( Open water terrifies me, for fear of being kicked in the face)
- Affordable at $150.00
- A friend agreed to do it with me
Training or Lack there of…..
Given that at the beginning of May I was running the BMO half marathon and Adrian was running the full marathon. That said, my training schedule leading up to this event was catered more to the runs and accommodating time for Adrian to train for his marathon distance.
Swimming:
In my early 20’s when I started my fitness journey I started with swimming however been years since I have swam freestyle laps.
One moth prior to the event I visited the pool just to see if I could swim the distance it the time I indicated. I made it to the pool a handful of times before the event. The main objective was to reassure myself that I could swim the distance in the 17 minutes I had committed to. I wasn’t looking to break any records I just wanted to finish.
Biking:
I relied HEAVILY on my 15+ years of indoor cycling experience for this part of the event. Originally I was going to complete the event on Adrian mountain bike. Lucky for me a co-worker and cycle-cross pro (thank you Jim) took pity on me….there may have also been some disdain that I would participate in something less than a road bike. Jim loaned me a wildly intimidating and highly aggressive bike that I ended up loving.
It should also be noted that my years of teaching helped me with clipping in and out, although I did fall once during my practice ride….I am still unclear what happened?? After taking it out for a 20 minute tentative ride and breaking my women parts…. I took it to Village Bikes in Steveston for a seat upgrade and some wider tires.
Running:
Running is my strongest portion of the event, I run 5km virtually every morning before work, and 2 weeks prior to the event completed 21.1km so I didn’t focus any training on this. I didn’t look at the course map, I didn’t run the route, I actually tried not to think about the event as a whole much…..mainly to avoid becoming more nervous than I already was.
Brick Run:
3 weeks prior to the event I completed what is referred to as a “brick run” I rode the 17.5km, and dropped my bike off at home and ran 5km.
When you stop biking and start running your legs feel heavy and a bit strange. This heavy feeling in your legs, in my opinion, is why it is referred to as a brick workout. It will feel like you are carrying two cement blocks on the ends of your legs.
The run itself
The event was well organized with tons of helpful and understanding volunteers. I arrived early and walked all the transitions making sure to ask lots of questions. I spend most of my time setting up my transition, ensuring I had my bike set up correctly and all the items I would need for each event.
The event was delayed so we ended up waiting longer on the pool deck to get started with didn’t help my nerves. I was so nervous on my first lap that I thought I might be sick. Because I was in a slower swim category and we were using the right and left side of each lane making passing difficult. This resulted in a congested swim course, but provided some welcome relief from the intensity of the swim.
Upon discovering the ride started at the base of a hill, I got help to ensure my bike was in a low gear to start. The ride itself was relatively easy with a couple of small hills but nothing incredibly difficult. The run however was almost entirely hills, so despite the run being my strongest part it was still challenging.
The Finish Line
Despite my lack of training, my overall fitness level took me to the finish line.
Each event regardless of distance or format, brings the athlete face to face with conflicting moments of fear, struggle, elation, doubt, misery, euphoria, success (and, ultimately, relief . . . that moment when you cross the finish line and say to yourself, after you have given it your all, “thank God that’s over!”, followed by the thought that comes a half hour, or four hours, or two days, or one week later, when you say to yourself, “I need to do that again. When ‘s the next one?”)
See you at the finish line.
